just off

USAGE SUMMARY

'just off' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe either the location of something or the recent timing of something. For example, "We took a walk just off the beach," or "We just had a visit from a famous movie star."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'm just off a tick".

The New York Times - Sports

Just off to a meeting?

The Guardian - Opinion

Just off for a cup o' tea.

The Guardian - Sport

2.26pm: I'm just off to a briefing.

The Guardian

The prime minister's office is just off Manly Corso.

The Guardian - Sport

End game: who will just off the Bridge?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Its finish was chalky, just off-flat.

The New York Times

He is not just "off-message".

The Economist

It's just off-the-charts crazy".

The New Yorker

But he's just off-target.

The Guardian - Sport

Or to somebody just off-screen?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location, ensure the context makes it clear what the reference point is. For example, "The cafe is just off the main square" provides more clarity than "The cafe is just off".

Common error

Avoid using "just off" without a clear reference point, as it can confuse the reader. Always specify what something is "just off" of to provide adequate context and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just off" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location or a state of being in close proximity to something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. The phrase adds detail, specifying nearness without direct contact, as shown in Ludwig's examples such as describing places "just off the Ramblas" or being "just off a tick".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just off" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate close proximity or recent departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily news, travel, and sports. To avoid ambiguity, it is best practice to provide a clear reference point for what is "just off". While phrases like "nearby", "close to", or "in close proximity to" offer alternatives, "just off" uniquely combines spatial nearness with a sense of immediacy. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its widespread use in authoritative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly away from

Indicates a minor difference in physical distance compared to "just off".

a little distance from

Emphasizes a small separation in space, changing the focus from immediacy to separation.

immediately adjacent to

Highlights direct adjacency, differing from "just off" by stressing the closeness.

in close proximity to

Formally expresses nearness, shifting from a casual to a more structured tone.

nearby

Simplifies the expression to denote general nearness without specifying closeness.

just outside of

Focuses on being immediately beyond a boundary rather than a vague proximity.

recently departed from

Shifts the meaning to a recent departure, altering the context from location to action.

fresh from

Implies a recent experience or activity, diverging from spatial relations.

barely outside

Indicates being almost inside, closer than a general 'just off'.

not far from

Indicates a short distance, similar to "just off" but less precise.

FAQs

How can I use "just off" in a sentence to describe location?

To describe a location, use "just off" to indicate something is nearby but not directly on a specific point. For instance, "The restaurant is "just off the main street"" suggests it's very close to the main street.

What's a good alternative to "just off" when describing proximity?

Alternatives include "nearby", "close to", or "in close proximity to". Choose the phrase that best fits the level of formality and the specific context you're describing.

Can "just off" refer to time, or only to physical location?

While "just off" primarily describes physical proximity, it can also imply something that has recently occurred. For example, "I'm "just off to a meeting"" suggests you are leaving immediately.

Is it correct to say "just off of" instead of "just off"?

While some might use "just off of", it's generally more concise and grammatically accepted to say "just off". The "of" is usually redundant and doesn't add any meaning.